Ch.189Chapter 189: New Connections (1).

# Chapter 189: New Connections (1)

After a boisterous night at the “Roaring Griffin,” the academy was unusually lively the next day.

With most students who had been active in the eastern and northern regions returning, tales of heroism and greetings echoed throughout the campus.

At the center of it all was, of course, Valt Geruntug.

‘Death Knight Slayer,’ ‘Hero of the East.’ The epithets describing him had multiplied overnight. As a result, Valt had to endure people’s blatant stares and whispers wherever he went.

“Ahem! As expected, our big brother is too popular!” Victor exclaimed.

Lisa followed up, “Hmph! Of course. Valt’s achievements are simply extraordinary!”

After finishing morning training and heading back to the dormitory, Victor and Robin bickered as usual on either side of Valt, while Arias, Liris, Lisa, and Lati followed along to join him for a meal.

Valt walked silently, letting their endless chatter flow in one ear and out the other.

‘How on earth can they talk so much without stopping….’

Even that was a mystery to Valt.

He even wondered if it might be some kind of talent.

While Valt was lost in such useless(?) thoughts, Liris and Arias were still quietly accompanying him, maintaining a somewhat awkward distance.

Last night, Arias had found courage under the influence of alcohol, but now sober, she couldn’t look Valt in the eye properly and only stole glances at him.

‘Eeek… why do I have to remember everything… if only I couldn’t remember! How am I supposed to face Valt now? I just can’t!!’

Valt was aware of her presence but deliberately pretended not to notice. He wanted to focus on other thoughts right now.

‘Hmm… The audience with the Emperor is scheduled for the day after tomorrow… I should visit Professor Riman before that.’

As Valt walked, lost in his complicated thoughts, two completely unexpected figures blocked his path.

In that moment, Liris’s eyebrow twitched slightly beside him, and Arias unconsciously grabbed the edge of Valt’s clothes.

One was a short, sturdy girl with well-defined muscles.

She wore practical attire decorated with quality leather and metal, with a small battle hammer at her waist.

Under her braided reddish-brown hair, curious and bold brown eyes stared directly at Valt.

Valt showed an interested look.

‘Oh? A dwarf? This is my first time seeing one up close.’

The other figure exuded a completely opposite atmosphere.

Her flowing blue silk clothes seemed to embody gentle waves, and her unnaturally pale skin visible between long black hair, along with mysterious green eyes, created an otherworldly beauty.

She was gazing steadily at Valt with a somewhat languid expression, her eyes containing a strange charm that could bewitch one’s heart.

‘Is this a mermaid…? The aura she gives off… is unusual.’

“…What is it?” Valt asked with a puzzled expression.

The bold-looking dwarf girl spoke first. She looked Valt up and down, then placed her hands on her hips and spoke loudly and confidently.

“Hmm! Are you the rumored Valt Geruntug? Hmm, you’re certainly huge as they say! Can you use that much strength too?”

Her tone was somewhat rude, but it conveyed pure curiosity and boldness rather than malice.

Arias slightly frowned at her attitude.

As soon as she finished speaking, the mysterious mermaid girl beside her stepped forward gracefully and spoke in a languid yet captivating voice, with strange gestures that seemed to draw in her listener.

“Hmm… So you’re the rumored Valt Geruntug? The Hero of the East… You possess an aura far more interesting than the rumors suggest. Especially that wild power surging within you… I like it.”

At the mermaid girl’s obvious interest and suggestive gaze, Arias unconsciously gripped Valt’s clothes tighter and exclaimed:

“Y-you two! What’s this about, appearing so suddenly?!”

Liris also maintained her vigilance with cold eyes.

“What business do a dwarf and a mermaid have with us? We’re quite busy at the moment.”

She stood almost touching Valt’s arm without moving, but the chill emanating from her seemed to grow even colder.

At the sudden appearance and interest from the two, the expressions of Lisa, Arias, and Liris behind Valt subtly changed in their own ways.

Only Lisa watched this mismatched combination with an excited face, snorting through her nose.

Lati, sitting on Lisa’s shoulder, also sparkled with interest.

The two began whispering to each other excitedly.

“Wow, what a bombshell event!?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know! Following Valt really does bring endless entertainment! Hehehe.”

Valt silently observed the two for a moment.

A dwarf and a mermaid princess… He had heard that the academy gathered all sorts of characters, but this was the first time anyone had approached him so directly.

“I asked what you want. Do you intend to keep blocking the way without stating your business? If you have nothing to say, I’ll be on my way.”

Roshulwin Tian, the mermaid, whispered at his bluntness.

“My, how forceful.”

As Valt tried to pass them with his characteristic indifference, the dwarf girl, Taryl Jeph, blocked his path again.

“I’m Taryl Jeph! I came because I’m curious about your incredible strength and earth-shaking techniques! Rumors say you break the ground with some kind of magic—could it be related to the ancient dwarven earth-shattering technique? Can you show me? I’m even up for a sparring match!”

She fired questions and demands without pausing for breath. Her pure dwarven curiosity about techniques and competitive spirit toward Valt’s power overflowed.

Valt’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Oh? A sparring match?”

As Taryl finished speaking, the mermaid girl, Roshulwin Tian, gently restrained her and smiled like a fairy.

“Fufu, Taryl is too hasty. We should properly introduce ourselves first.”

She slightly bowed her head toward Valt. Every movement exuded captivating elegance.

“I am the youngest daughter of the Sea Kingdom, Roshulwin Tian, Prince Valt. As Taryl mentioned, I’ve heard much about your power. Especially your unique way of using power, different from any magic or aura… and the strong vitality within it. I truly… find it deeply fascinating.”

Roshulwin spoke with a languid smile.

Her voice had a strange power that both relaxed and captivated listeners.

Her gaze was directed solely at Valt. Arias unconsciously bit her lip at the sight.

‘Th-that look! What kind of mermaid is she! She’s completely a vixen!’

Liris’s eyes grew even colder.

With unfocused eyes, she reached behind her back, invisibly creating and dissolving small blood spears with her blood magic.

“If you don’t mind, would you join us somewhere quiet for a cup of tea… and tell us more about that ‘special power’ of yours?”

Roshulwin’s proposal was polite but created a strange atmosphere that was difficult to refuse.

Valt pondered for a moment at their direct yet different approaches.

Their interest seemed genuine, but considering they were princesses representing their respective races, there might be hidden intentions.

‘Hmm… At this point, a dwarf and a mermaid? I’m curious about what this is about, but…’

Valt looked at his friends waiting for him.

He was now undisputedly the leader of “Valt’s gang(?)” He knew well that if he acted carelessly here, those who followed and watched him would also be taken lightly.

“I appreciate the offer, but I prefer not to meet without prior arrangements. Let’s set a date and talk separately later.”

He was also aware of the subtle tension surrounding him.

Arias’s anxious presence beside him, Liris’s cold vigilance behind him. And…

“Wait! Hehehe. Are you two hitting on our Valt right now?”

Lisa’s mischievousness…

‘Sigh… Lisa’s at it again…’

Sure enough, Lisa couldn’t hold back and stepped in front of Valt with a grin.

She placed her hands on her hips and looked at Taryl and Roshulwin alternately with a face full of curiosity.

“Our Valt is extremely busy, you know? He’s not someone who’ll just follow anyone who invites him for tea. If you have business, you should speak to me, Lisa Valentine, Valt’s chief aide, first. That’s the proper order, foreign princesses.”

At Lisa’s bold declaration, Taryl opened her eyes wide in disbelief, while Roshulwin slightly raised the corner of her mouth, finding it amusing.

Arias was surprised by Lisa’s courage(?) but also felt grateful, while Liris remained silent, though her cold aura seemed to have softened slightly.

Lisa rubbed her hands together like a schemer and began questioning the two princesses. On her shoulder sat Lati, mimicking Lisa’s exact pose.

“Now, now, customers—I mean, princesses~ So what business do you have~?”